India Battles Chandipura Virus Outbreak with Coordinated Efforts

India reports 53 confirmed cases of the Chandipura virus, with 19 deaths all from Gujarat. The government deploys a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to assist in public health measures and detailed investigation. Awareness and preventive measures are being taken nationwide to control the outbreak.

India has reported 53 confirmed cases of the Chandipura virus, with 51 from Gujarat and two from Rajasthan as of July 31, Union Health Minister J P Nadda informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Among these cases, 19 people have died, all from Gujarat, Nadda disclosed in a written response to a question.

To combat the outbreak, a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) has been sent to Gujarat to implement public health measures and conduct a detailed epidemiological investigation. Experts from key health institutions, including the National Centre for Disease Control and the Indian Council of Medical Research, are part of the NJORT.

Additionally, a team from NCDC Delhi and ICMR NIV Pune is investigating Acute Encephalitis cases and related fatalities. Entomologists from NCDC are examining vectors transmitting the Chandipura virus to humans.

Rapid response teams and community health workers, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), are actively conducting surveillance and facilitating timely medical care for suspected cases. Indoor residual spraying has been intensified to control the sandfly vector in affected and neighboring areas.

Awaremaking efforts are underway via media briefings, radio broadcasts, and television programs. Direct house-to-house communication is also being conducted to educate the public about preventive measures. A joint advisory from NCDC and NCVBDC has been issued to ensure proper vector control and guide state governments in referring suspected Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases for timely treatment.

The Public Health Emergency Operation Centre at NCDC is coordinating NJORT activities and supporting field teams. The Indian government, in close coordination with state governments, is continuously monitoring and reviewing the situation, Nadda stated.

(With inputs from agencies.)